Vietnam War – 1962

Vietnam War

1962-1975 – Australia joins the war to stop communist forces from North Vietnam overcoming their democratic neighbours in the South.

The initial Australian commitment in 1962 consists only of a small team of advisors, but by 1965 a full taskforce of infantry, air force and navy are fighting in Vietnam.

Australian infantry are adept a fighting in the jungle, using guerrilla tactics they have honed since fighting the Japanese in WW2. They operate predominantly in Phuoc Tuy province near Saigon, and inflict major losses on the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army in a series of violent battles.

By the time combat troops are withdrawn in 1972, the veterans face a hostile reception in Australia, where opposition to the war has been boiling over for several years. 521 Australians were killed in the war, and more than 3000 were wounded.